Living a Life Worthy of His Call

God highlighted a scripture for me when I was studying recently. I ended up preaching it as a sermon. It challenged me, and I pray it challenges you!

2 Thessalonians 1:11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

We all have God’s call on our lives. I felt God call me into ministry when I was 12 years old. My husband, Allen, felt God call him into counseling when he was a teenager. It’s amazing to me that the God of the universe cares enough about us to have specific plans and purposes for our lives. Sometimes, we think that we don’t have a special call. We just get up, go to work, clean our houses, pay our bills, raise our kids, etc. But according to God’s word, we are ALL called to:

Love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37)Love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39)Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20)Share the gospel (Mark 16:15)Live a life of holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16)Serve others in humility (Philippians 2:3-4)Walk in obedience to God’s word (John 14:23)

So how do we live a life WORTHY  of His call?

I. Living a Life of Prayer

Y'all, living a life of prayer is not just about saying nice words to God. Or even memorized words to God. It's about guarding our hearts, keeping them pure and focused on Him (Proverbs 4:23). As we meditate on His word and spend time in His presence, our desires align with His will, leading us to a life marked by faithfulness and obedience.

Our hearts and minds are connected!

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.. - Romans 12:2

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. - Ephesians 4:23-24 

This isn’t a “one and done” proposition. We have to commit to daily seeking Him in prayer and allowing His truth to shape our thoughts and actions.

II. Living a Life of Power

In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised us the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses. That power is available to us today! We are called to walk in this power, boldly sharing the gospel and demonstrating His love through signs and wonders. The same power that raised Christ from the dead resides in us, empowering us to overcome obstacles and fulfill our divine purpose with boldness and confidence. 

Come on, Church! We need to grab ahold of that truth like we never have before!!! We are the last hope for a sick and dying world. We don't have to sit on the sidelines and watch our families and friends go to hell (I know that's not a popular word to say anymore, but we're short on time! I don't think we need to worry so much about ruffling someone's feathers). Do we believe the world needs Jesus to get to heaven? Do we believe that His death, burial, and resurrection do what He said they do?!? If so, let's tap into the power WE ALREADY HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION!

I read this cool illustration: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.

Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete the new missionary interrupted, "Why Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch and to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.

Ephesians 1:19-20 talks about how tremendous is the power available to us who believe God. When we make firm our connection with God his life and power flow through us.

Are you ready to walk in this supernatural power? What are you willing to do to walk in the overcoming, laying hands on the sick and they recover, pray a prayer of deliverance and seeing freedom, signs and wonders and miracles kind of power?

III. Live a Life Pleasing to Him

Colossians 1:10 challenges us to live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way. We are called to bear good fruit, grow in knowledge of Him, and bring glory to His name in everything we do. As we commit to living a life that pleases Him, where our actions and attitudes reflect His love and grace, and as we surrender to His will, our lives become a pleasing offering that attracts others to His light. I want to please Him in all areas of my life, bringing honor to His name.

I recently found this information, published in USA Today on April 9 1997. Scientists say that a series of slits, not a giant gash sank the Titanic. The opulent 900-foot cruise ship sank in 1912 on its first voyage from England to New York. Fifteen hundred people died in the worst maritime disaster of the time.

The most widely held theory was that the ship hit an iceberg which opened a huge gash in the side of the liner. But in 1997, an international team of divers and scientists used sound waves to probe the wreckage buried in the mud under two-and-a-half miles of water. Their discovery? The damage was surprisingly small. Instead of the huge gash they found six relatively narrow slits across the six watertight holds.

Small damage invisible to most can sink not only a great ship but a great reputation.

This made me think of the verse in Song of Solomon about the little foxes that spoil the vine. Song of Solomon 2:15 Our vineyards are in blossom; we must catch the little foxes that destroy the vineyards. 

The Matthew Henry Commentary says:- The foxes are interpreted as the subtle temptations and distractions of the world that must be resisted and kept at bay.- The vineyard is explained as representing the Christian's heart, which must be diligently guarded and tended in order to produce fruit.

"Little foxes" - These animals are known for their cunning and destruction. Just as seemingly small sins or temptations can have a major impact on one's spiritual life, small foxes can cause significant harm to a vineyard.

So, we have these sneaky little sins that creep in when we think no one sees, especially when it's so easy to think we're getting away with it...or when they seem to be thrown right in our path.

In John 15:1-5, Jesus describes Himself as the true vine, and His followers as the branches. Just as a vineyard flourishes when its branches are connected to the main vine, our lives can only truly bloom when we remain connected to Christ. When we abide in Him, His life-giving power flows through us, enabling us to bear fruit and glorify God. We have to ensure that our lives are firmly rooted in the true vine, allowing His love and grace to nourish us and bring forth abundant fruit.

If you've ever seen the movie "A Walk in the Clouds," you'll remember when the vineyard burned. The family felt they were destroyed because the vine, the root they brought with them from Spain, seemed to be ruined. They could no longer grow the grapes that had been in their family for generations. Then, they saw that there was still some green...some life...remaining in it. The life is in the Vine!

Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

1 Peter 5:8 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Ephesians 4:1-6 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all,who is over all, in all, and living through all.

Friends, let's commit today to live a life of prayer, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and strive to please our Heavenly Father in all that we do. Let's guard our hearts, walk in boldness, and live a life that reflects His love and truth to the world around us. May our lives be a living testimony of His transforming grace and may we bring glory to His name in everything we do. Are you ready to live a life that truly pleases Him? It’s easy to shout about the power, but it’s a little harder to get real about living a life pleasing to Him.

Can you spend some time in prayer right now, asking Him to remind you of what He’s called you to do, and to convict you of any “little foxes” you’ve allowed into your vineyard that will not only hinder your walk with Him, but can keep you from reaching others for the Kingdom?